We are all gonna have a hot girl summer this year. ALL. OF. US. There’s no good reason you shouldn’t enjoy some time in the sun while wearing a swimsuit this year! Whether you’re in your backyard playing with the kids, or lounging at the public pool, your body type has nothing to do with enjoying yourself. I used to spend way too much time worrying if other people were judging my lumps, curves, rolls or pubic hair coming out the sides of my suit. I am telling you right now, WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOUR BODY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU! Let them look. Let them project their insecurities. Let them do them, and let you do you!
Missing Out
Last year when I showed off my body in a swimsuit on my IG for the first time, I was shocked and amazed at how many women (and a few men) told me they had NEVER owned a swimsuit! Some people have never even tried one on! It made my head spin. I had no clue that showing myself in a swimsuit could inspire people to try one on for the first time! So many women reported back that they wanted to live more openly and happily inside their own skin. So many people long to jump in the pool and play with their kids, but they don't because they don’t believe their body fits the “norm.” I cried. Ammon and I both cried. Don’t believe the lie that you aren’t good enough, that you aren’t thin enough, or that you aren’t worthy enough. The memories, quality time, laughter and fun you’re withholding from yourself and your loved ones are too precious to miss. When I was a teen my body did not look like my peers. I was always bigger. I knew that the cute guys at the pool probably weren’t looking at me, and if they were I was 100% on my tummy sun bathing my back because I was so self conscious of my tummy.
Letting Go
I vividly remember the day I threw my hands in the air and gave it all away. I jumped in the pool, made a huge splash, and from that moment on, I let it all go! I let go of the fear, the insecurities and the relentless pressure. I know it’s easier said than done. It takes work and practice. But when I feel negative thoughts slipping in, I feel them for a minute, recognize that they don’t serve me and let them slip away as fast as they came.
An aha moment for me was when my good friend (the skinniest, sexiest one) asked me this simple question - Would you want to be with a man that judged you for your body? As I thought about it, I realized that the dudes who were judging me in my swimsuit poolside, were probably not the type of guys I would want to be with. I want to be with the guys who are swimming alongside me, drinking piña coladas and having a blast. Now that I’m older and I don’t care what other adults think, I recognize that I do care a lot about what I’m teaching my children. And about what they are learning just by watching me. I’m thankful I’ve been able to learn to love my body, to have fun with my body, to laugh and play and enjoy my body. I hope everyone of you can get to that place. Practice makes perfect. Get the swimsuit, jump in the pool and just let go! Try it and I bet you’ll realize really fast that those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.
